TAMPA, Fla. -- Greater Atlanta Christian School's Marching Spartans performed on New Year's Day during the halftime show at the Outback Bowl in Tampa, Fla.

Band director Wes York said the group was "really excited" to be invited.

"It was something we applied for back in the spring," York said. The Greater Atlanta Christian School band was among 16 others across the country who performed during the halftime show as well as during the Outback Bowl Parade.

York said the band joined forces with the 16 other elite groups to play a medley of beach music, followed by a salute to armed forces.

"They had a great time," York said. "It was a fun trip for everybody."

Frank Reddy writes about education. Good News from Schools appears in the Sunday edition of the Daily Post.